Rangers defender Connor Goldson has spoke about how he feared he might never play football again after being diagnosed with a life-threatening heart defect.



Goldson, 26, who joined the Ibrox side last June from Premier League team Brighton & Hove Albion, had a coronary scare in February 2017.



Following a cardiac screening the Englishman was found to have an enlarged aorta heart valve and had to undergo preventative surgery, which if left untreated could’ve been fatal.

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Goldson said: “My dad had a heart attack when he was in his late 30s and his dad died of a heart attack as well.



“I was always wary of it and whether there might be something with me.



The centre-back had no pain or signs of any cardiac problems, but after being to get tested by a physio at Brighton, he received the news no player ever wants to hear.

He was diagnosed with an enlarged aorta heart valve, and broke down in tears.

Goldson added: "As a footballer you never think it’s going to happen to you.

“You’re working daily from the age of 16 when you leave school, training and playing matches then something like that comes along.

“It was emotional. It was me and the doctor there and we went to see the specialist and I just remember I broke down in front of him.

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“There’s not many people who’ve seen me emotional and it was hard because you don’t want to show that side to someone you don’t really know so well.

“I just remember being in the back of his car in tears.”

He feared it might be the end of his footballing career, and said: “I was in pieces not knowing if I would play again.

“I saw him a few days later and he told me point blank ‘you’ll play football again’.”



After a two hour operation in early April 2017, the footie ace made it back in time to play in Brighton’s pre-season games in early July.

He does not take any medication after the op, but goes for annual check ups.



He spoke out to support charity Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, at Rangers’ Hummel Training Centre in Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire.

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Urging people to get tested, Goldson said: “I never felt anything or know anything was happening in my body.

“It will always take something for a human to then go and act on it, but if you can take a little bit of time out of your day to get yourself tested and make sure you’re OK it can only benefit yourself and your family.”